HC Deb 15 June 1948 vol 452 cc388-90
Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 153 line 46, after "of," to insert: delivering a nomination paper or of. There was some doubt raised in Committee whether paragraph (8) would prevent a candidate from attending nominations even for the purpose of handing in his own nomination paper. We did not think that was the effect, but there was some doubt and the Amendment proposed is designed to make it quite clear.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 154 line 39, to leave out sub-paragraph (2), and to insert: (2) In the case of a candidate who is outside the United Kingdom, a notice of withdrawal signed by his proposer and accompanied by a written declaration also so signed of the candidate's absence from the United Kingdom shall be of the same effect as a notice of withdrawal signed by the candidate: Provided that where the candidate stands nominated by more than one nomination paper a notice of withdrawal under this sub-paragraph shall be effective if, but only if,—

  1. (a) it and the accompanying declaration are signed by all the proposers except any who is, and is stated in the said declaration to be, outside the United Kingdom; or
  2. (b) it is accompanied, in addition to the said declaration, by a written statement signed by the candidate that the proposer giving the notice is authorised to do so on the candidate's behalf during his absence from the United Kingdom."
The provision that a candidate out of the United Kingdom might withdraw by telegram was criticised in Committee on the ground that it was open to abuse, and it was suggested that a better method might be found. This Amendment substitutes the provision that the proposer can send a notice of withdrawal on the candidate's behalf. I hope that that will meet the criticism that was made.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page line 3, leave out "who have appointed proxies," and insert: for whom proxies have been appointed."—[Mr. Younger.]

Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 157, line 32, to leave out sub-paragraph (2), and to insert: (2) The surname of each candidate shall in all cases be printed by itself in large capitals, and his full particulars shall be set out below it and shall be printed in ordinary type except that small capitals shall be used—

  1. (a) it his surname is the same as another candidate's, for his other names; and
  2. (b) if his other names are also the same as the other candidate's, either for his description or for his residence unless each of them is the same as that of another candidate with the same surname and other names."
The House may remember that in Committee a difficulty arose about distinguishing between candidates who had not only the same surnames, but the same Christian names. It was then suggested that their descriptions should be printed in large type but it was thought by some hon. Members that an advantage would be given to the candidate having his name printed in large type, and my right hon. Friend promised that this would be reconsidered. Of course, if one is to distinguish in some way or another between candidates' names where they are similar it is impossible to avoid, ex hypothesi, some distinction, but we have tried to get as near as we can to reconciling the irreconcilable. The surname of each candidate will be printed in large capitals and full details will be set out below. If the surname is the same, then small capitals will be used to print their other names to distinguish among them. If the other names, in addition to the surname, are also the same capitals are to be used either for the description or the address, whichever is the more appropriate to distinguish them. I do not think a distinction of this kind will give any advantage to any one candidate. Since it is obviously necessary to distinguish in some visible form between them, it is impossible to avoid having a difference of some kind but this reduces the problem to one of small proportions.

Mr. Gallacher (Fife, West)

I would like to get some understanding of subparagraph (b). It would appear to me that where there are the same surnames, the same Christian names, and the same residence, they apply to the same person.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 158 line 47, after "a" to insert: candidate or his election or. This Amendment is to meet a suggestion in Committee that a candidate and his election agent should have the same power as a polling agent to order the arrest of a suspected imposter.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 159 line 2, leave out "by a polling agent."—[Mr. Younger.]

Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 161, line 20, at the end, to insert: (2) For the purposes of the said Rule 35 the agreement of a candidate or his election agent shall be as effective as the agreement of his counting agents. One effect of paragraph 3 of Part IV of the Third Schedule is that it will be possible to adjourn a count only if all counting agents agree. A single counting agent could prevent an adjournment where everyone else thought it would be desirable. Representations have been made that this should be modified, and to meet those representations the Amendment provides that the consent of the candidate or his election agent would be sufficient instead of all his counting agents.

Amendment agreed to.